Travel Photography

Travel photography can either be created by professionals or amateurs. It’s enhanced by including some form of writing. And the writing is enhanced by the inclusion of people. Think people – they are the one’s who travel and including them in stories lifts your photos above the pack.

Travel photography is about capturing memories as well as places, so don’t hesitate to take shots of simple things that capture part of the spirit or fun of your journey. Especially in the age of cheap digital photography and nearly unlimited memory cards, there is no reason to limit yourself into simply taking photos of town squares and statues.

Preparation Is Key

Like any other photography niche, being prepared is a key element. You can’t stop in the middle of your travel photography adventure to run back home for your tripod. Extra memory cards and batteries are a ‘must.’

What Do You Shoot?

Photograph people eating food - people working - children playing - local police, fire fighters and any other service people in the area. Make sure that they are doing something interesting.

The Experts

There are many. Many of them are very good. Some of them that are very good share what they know with those of us that don’t know. One of the very good travel photographers that share every bit with others is Dan Heller. He is also an author. And he writes in a no-nonsense, practical style. He and Scott Kelby are my favorite photography authors.

Travel photography is a favorite field for photographers who love to travel the world. Any photography that promotes travel through either an editorial piece or advertising can be considered part of this type of photography. An important element of this field of photography is an ability to shoot candids of people. While it might seem logical that scenics and architectural shots of exotic places should be in great demand, the essence and main purpose of this genre is to bring people. That can only be accomplished by photographing people and by bringing the scenics and buildings alive by populating them.

While there is steady demand for travel images, much is being supplied by stock agencies these days, and increasingly assignments are given to local or regional photographers instead of flying one around to various points on the globe. So, it might be difficult to make it on this type of photography alone. It is, however, an excellent additional revenue stream for a successful photography business and readily lends itself to shooting stock. Your Travel Photography portfolio must display your unique style and also be generic (photos are more valuable and marketable when they are generic in nature – within a specified niche).

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